Liquid fuel burner



July 10, 1951 s. P. NEMETH LIQUID FUEL BURNER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 11, 1949 ,flaemjon Wavy/ml y 10, 1951 s. P. NEMETH 2,560,364

LIQUID FUEL BURNER Filed Feb. 1l, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .atented July 10, 1951 UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE LIQUID FUEL BURNER Steflen Paul Nemeth, Chicago, Ill. Application February 11, 1949, Serial No. 75,820

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in liquid fuel burners, particularly, to that class of burners which utilize petroleum and/or fuel oil, the invention having for an object to provide a burner wherein liquid fuel is delivered from a centrifugal discharge means in broken-up or substantially atomized form into a diffusing chamber, under the pressure of centrifugal force, and effectually proportioned with air, where a stage of thorough commingling of the atomized liquid fuel with air is carried out with proper and calculated regard for consumption economy and combustibility, whereupon, the resultant vapor mixture is recompressed in and during a period of further flow, and in that state, discharged into the burner combustion chamber for firing and burning, producing an intensely hot flame which is outletted and directed from the burner head for heating purposes.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a liquid fuel burner wherein the passage of fuel from the point of its introduction thereinto, in atomized form, is subjected to a succession of treatment stages without any material or abrupt change of its rate of flow velocity, to wit: (1) expanded, immediately following its delivery into the burner under the pressure of its centrifugal force, and diffused, coincidentally with which air is admixed therewith to produce an air-fuel vapor; 2) compressed in and during its passage from the fuel diffusing and mixing chamber; 3) re-expanded in the burner combustion chamber, into which it then passes, for ignition and burning, and (4) the flame then directed, under pressure, through the burner throat and directionally projected from the burner head for efilcient heat transmittin contact with the fire wall or walls of an equipped furnace; such succession of treatment stages ensuring a minimum of fuel consumption and a maximum of B. t. u. output, plus reduction of flame roar and those di advantages incident thereto.

The foregoing, as well as other objects, advantages and meritorious teachings of my invention, will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the following detailed disclosure thereof, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it being understood that the ing taken along the line l-l of Figure 2, looking in the direction in which the arrows point.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction in which the arrows point.

' Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in end elevation of one of the rotary fan blower blades, showing the curvature of its lower portion.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail vertical section through a portion of the nozzle head or body, showing, in elevation, one of the rotary fan blower blades carried thereby.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a modified form of my improved liquid fuel burner, showing the same installed in the fire box of a furnace, said furnace being fragmentally shown in vertical section. i

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section through the burner shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 6, looking in the direction in which the arrows point, and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section through the diffuser chamber portion and adjacent tapered end wall of the combustion chamber of the modified form of m burner, showing said tapered end wall convexed, instead of concaved, as shown in Figure 6."

Referring in detail to the drawings, particularly, to that form of the invention shown in Fig- .ures 1, 2 and 3 thereof, the reference character F indicates a portion of a water heating furnace constructed with the usual double walled water receiving and circulating sides, a lower and supporting portion f and a false bottom or floor I, the latter having therein air admitting openings a and a substantially centrally located opening receiving the upper end portion of the improved burner motor housin I therethrough. The upper end portion of the motor casing extends upwardly into the lower portion of the fire box or chamber of the furnace F (see Figure 2) The improved liquid fuel burner consists of a circularly shaped cup-like supporting base 2 of castor stamped metal, the centrally located bottom of which is formed with a downwardly disposed annular mounting collar 3 snugly and fixedly engaged over the reduced and shouldered upper end of the burner motor housing I, whereby to firmly and securely support said base 2 in a horizontal position. Air admitting openings or ports 4 are formed in this supporting base to provide an upwardly directed air flow into and through the improved burner construction, as hereinafter more fully described.

A circularly shaped metal burner lower housing section or member 5 is substantially nestingly and horizontally received and supported in and centrally of the open upper portion of the supporting base 2. The central portion thereof is downwardly extended and inwardly reduced, as at 6, and is open. The lower and open end of this central portion 6 is positioned substantially concentrically of the mounting collar 3 on the supportin base 2 and spaced upwardly therefrom.

Suitable supporting engagement and securing connection is made between the rim of the supporting base 2 and adjacent portions of the lower side of the housing section 5, as indicated at 'l.

The combustion chamber 8 of the burner is received on the outer portion of the lower housing section 5. It comprises a ring-like body whose outside diameter is greater than that of said lower section, having relatively spaced upper and lower horizontally disposed walls 9 and III the inner sides of which converge and are closed and joined entirely about their adjacent free ends, providing thereby a cross-sectionally inwardly reduced or tapered inner side wall, indicated by the numeral ll. Said upper and lower walls 9 and ill have a plurality of relatively spaced ports l2 formed in the horizontal portions of each thereof. 1

The outer sides of the combustion chamber walls 9 and I are each upwardly curved, as at l3, and converge towards each other, providing therebetween an outwardly restricted annular throat whose inner end communicates with the outer side of the combustion chamber per se, and whose outer end discharges upwardly and outwardly in proximity to and entirely about the inner wall of the fire box of the furnace F, as well shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. It is preferable that the open outer end portion of this annular throat shall be further restricted by inwardly curving'the free side or end portion of the curved outer side of the lower wall It, as indicated at H, whereby to increase the pressure of propagated flame discharging therethrough. To support the upper and lower combustion chamber walls 9 and In in fixedly spaced relation, particularly, at the point of jointure of their upwardly curved outer sides l3 thereto, a plurality of circularly arranged relatively spaced support ing posts iii are interposed therebetween and endwise riveted or otherwise connected to adjacent portions, as at 15, it being here noted that these riveting connections also serve other connecting functions, as hereinafter more fully described.

An upper housing section or cover It is arranged over the lower housing section 5 and the combustion chamber per se portion of the bumer combustion member 8, including the upper and lower, perforate walls 9 and I0. Said section l6 comprises a sheet metal ring-like body or annulus which substantially horizontally overlies the upper side of the combustion member 8. The inside diameter of the same is greater than that of the lower housing section 5 and has an upstanding annular flange or collar I! thereon, while its outside diameter approximately corresponds to that of said lower section, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. In assembled relation, the upper and lower housing sections l6 and 5 are substantially concentric. The rim or outer portions of each are inwardly curved and laterally flanged, in order that the riveted opposite ends l5 of the supporting posts I5 can be engaged therethrough and secured. Thus, the walls 9 and In of the combustion member 8 and the outer portions of the housing sections 5 and it, are securely interconnected.

Corresponding inner side portions of the housing sections are inwardly and angularly formed or disposed. The outwardly diverging way, thus provided therebetween, receives the tapered inner side wall of the combustion member 8. The remaining or outer side portions of the sections are arranged in spaced parallel relation to and over the adjacent horizontal walls 9 and Ill. Thereby, the housing assembly 5-l6 constitutes a diffusing chamber l9, whose inner end or side communicates with the rotary atomizer nozzle (presently described), and whose outer end or side directly communicates with branch fuel compression ways I!) extending over and communicating with the perforate walls 9 and III of the combustion member 8.

In order that liquid fuel may be supplied to the burner construction, a vertical ducted shaft is suitably journaled in the motor housing I, having driving connection with the motor armature (not shown). The extended upper end portion of this shaft passes through the bottom of the supporting base 2 and is received in the lower housing section 5 concentrically thereof. The upper end of the shaft is reduced and shouldered, as at 2|.

A substantially frustum-like nozzle head 22 (atomizing nozzle) made of metal or other suitable material, having a longitudinal or vertical bearing opening concentrically therethrough, is engaged over the reduced and shouldered portion of the shaft 20 and locked thereto by a nut 23 turned onto its screw-threaded end. Angular diametrically opposed fuel ways or channels 24 are formed in and through the nozzle head 22, the lower ends of which communicate with outlet ways in the shaft 20 and communicating with the fuel supply duct therein, and the upper ends thereof discharging laterally and outwardly of the head and communicating with the restricted open inner side of the diffusing chamber I! of the combustion member 8. Thus, it will be seen that liquid fuel, force fed from a supply source (not shown) will be conveyed via the ducted shaft 20 and the fuel ways 24 of the nozzle head 22 into the combustion member 9.

If desired, the upper side of the nozzle head may be covered by a circular cover 25 peripherally flanged, as at 26, said cover being of a diameter permitting its snug though removable seating reception in the upstanding annular flange I! on the upper housing section IS.

The frustum-like nozzle head 22 is provided on its substantially under and outer side with a plurality of radially disposed relatively equispaced fan blades 21. Said blades are 'correspondingly transversely curved at points throughout their respective lengths, preferably in proximity to the lower ends thereof, as indicated by the numeral 21'. The lower ends of these blades are arranged to communicate with the lower side of the supporting base 2, while the downwardly extended and inwardly reduced central portion 6 of the lower housing section 5 serves to-efiectually house or encase the same in adequate spaced relation from their outer or free side edges.

With rotation of the shaft 20 and the nozzle head 22, it will be understood that the fan blades 21 will be rotated. The rate of speed of such rotation is entirely sufficient to cause the draw ing and flowing of air, at an effectual velocity, upwardly by and over the blades 21 into the aforesaid restricted open inner side of the diffusing chamber ll of the combustion member 8,

where the air will be thoroughly admixed with an atomized fuel supply also discharged from the ways 24 of the nozzle head 22 into the combustion member difiusing chamber l3.

To initially ignite the air-fuel vapor discharged from the diffusing chamber I8 through the branch fuel compression ways l9 into the combustion chamber of the member 8, an electrical ignition device 28. or other suitable means, is engaged with and through a portion of the housing lower section 5, having its electrodes extended into said combustion chamber.

In operation, oil or other suitable fuel is flowed from the rotating ducted shaft 20 into and upwardly through the ways 24 of the rotating nozzle head 22. Said head is rotated at a rate of speed sufficient to centrifugally discharge the oil from the open and upper ends of the nozzle ways 24 in atomized form. This atomized fuel is thrown outwardly, under centrifugal force, and enters therestricted open side of the diffusing chamber l8. During this passage from the nozzle ways into said diffusing chamber, air flowing over the mouths of said ways from the upper portions of the rotating fan blades 21, will admix with the atomized fuel discharge and co-fiow therewith into the adjacent and communicating end of the diffusing chamber l8. The air and fuel, pressure discharged into the diffusing chamber, will expand and thoroughly admix or diffuse therein, producing a combustible air-fuel vapor. The air-fuel vapor, under pressure urge from the continuing flow of air and oil into the restricted open end of said diffusing chamber, will then be flow deflected by the inwardly tapered inner periphery or side wall of the combustion member 8 and pass into and through the branch compres-- sion ways l9, wherein it will be compressed and more intimately admixed. The compressed airfuel vapor is then discharged through the combustion member spaced ports l2 into the burner combustion chamber. Therein, the compressed combustible vapor is ignited by the ignition device 28. The resultant combustion and flame produces a pressure within the burner combustion chamber. Consequently, the propagated flame will be discharged through the curved and annular throat formed by the outer sides l3, and from its mouth or burner head into the fire box of an equipped furnace F.

At this point, it will be understood that the veincluding a tubular metal cylindrical body 29 open at either end; an outwardly tapered tubular metal sleeve 30, the open inner end of which is externally shouldered, at 3|, and snugly received in an adjacent open end of the body 29, while its area reduced open and outer end is, preferably, internally screw-threaded, at 32, and a metal collar fitting 33 whose inner end is externally shouldered at 34 and snugly received in the remaining and adjacent open end of the body 29. The outer end and side of said fitting, if desired, may be beveled, at 35.

Fixed connection between the body 29, sleeve 30 and collar fitting 33, is effected, as by engag- 6 ing securing screws 36 and 31 through adjacent overlapping portions of the same (see Figure 6). The screws 31 are longer than those indicated at 36, therefore, extend inwardly beyond the fitting, for a purpose hereinafter described.

For continuity, and/ or uniformity of flow of vapor through the sleeve 30, and the body 23, hereinafter more fully described, the body receiving end of said sleevemay be feathered.

A second tubular metal cylindrical body or combustion member 38, whose cross-sectional shape may correspond to that of the housing body 23, but whose cross-sectional area or size is less than the latter, is telescopically received in said housing body, through the collar fitting 33, and extends to a point inwardly of the opposite end of the housing body. The length of the combustion member 38 is such that it extends beyond the receiving open end of the housing body 29, and in some instances, such extended end portion may be curved, as at 39.

The inner end of the combustion member is permanently closed by a wall 38'. Its outer and remaining end is open, though area restricted by means of an internally and snugly engaged Venturi sleeve 40, or its equivalent, the outer end of which is, preferably, flush with the adjacent combustion member end; said sleeve being secured to said member by connecting screws 4|.

Ports or ways 42, of appropriate size, are formed in and about those portions of the walls of the combustion member 38 within the housin body 29 and inwardly of the collar fitting 33, providing communication between the same.

Because of the snug fillting engagement of the combustion member 38 with and through the collar fitting 33, it will be appreciated that the same will be afforded a firm bearing support, preventing its vibration or similar objectionable movement. Longitudinal movement of said member, relative to the housing body 29, is prevented by engagement of the aforesaid inwardly extended ends of the securing screws 31 therewith.

A substantially conical metal fiow deflector 43,

whose base corresponds in shape and size to the closed inner end of the combustion member 33, is fixedly connected thereto in co-axial and aligning relation by a screw 44 engaged through the.

member end wall 38' and in and with the deflector base. As shown in Figure 6, the side walls of the reflector are dished or concaved, as at 45. However, under some conditions of operation of the burner, these side walls can be "convex or outwardly curved, as at 46 (see Figure 8).

The construction and assembly of the housing body 29, tapered sleeve 30, collar fitting 33, and combustion member 38, as will be seen, provides internal. chambers; first, a diffusing chamber 41; second, a compression chamber 48 which effects communication between the diffusing chamber and the combustion member, and third, a. combustion chamber 49 within said combustion member communicating, as above indicated, with the compression chamber. The collar fitting 33 between the housing 29 and the combustion member 38, in addition to firmly supporting said combustion member in and spaced from the housing body, closes the outer end of the compression chamber. If desired, this collar fitting can be provided with packing (not shown) to prevent leakage of vapor or pressure thereby.

To initially ignite air-fuel vapor delivered into the combustion chamber 49, an electrical igniting device 50 is engaged in and through an appropriately located opening in the housing 7 body 29, having its electrodes suitably entered into said combustion chamber through an adjacent way 42 in the combustion chamber.

A fuel atomizing nozzle is suitably mounted in the diffusing chamber 41 co-axially of and adjacent its outer and restricted open end. Liquid fuel is preferably gravity flowed thereto through a pipe 52 downwardly introduced into said diffusing chamber via a wall of the tapered sleeve 30 and connected to the nozzle 5|. At this point, it will be particularly noted that the nozzle is disposed within and longitudinally of the diffusing chamber 41 and is substantially coaxially aligned with the reduced free end of the conical deflector 43. Thus, effectual diffusion of the atomized fuel and its thorough admixture with air, also delivered into the diffusing chamber, is assured whereby to produce the aforesaid combustible air-fuel vapor.

The burner assembly has a conduit 53, of suitable length, fixedly engaged in the free and reduced end of the tapered sleeve 30. The extended and curved end of the portion 39 of the combustion member 38 is directed into the furnace F through a supporting sleeve bracket 54 in an appropriate wall portion of the same. Thereby, the burner will be supported in the furnace fuel box for operation.

In order that sufiicient volume of air, under adequate pressure, will be provided to the diffusing chamber 41 of the burner, the outer end of the conduit 53 has the outletof an air blower 55 connected to the same, said blower being mounted exteriorly of the furnace F, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings.

In operation of the modified form of burner, oil, or other liquid fuel, is flowed through the pipe 52 to the atomizing nozzle 5| and discharged thereby into and lonigtudinally of the diffusing chamber 41. Simultaneously, air under pressure from the blower 55, is discharged from the conduit 53 into the diffusing chamber 41. The atomized fuel and air expand and are diffused under turbulent conditions in the diffusing chamber, thereby becoming thoroughly admixed and producing within such chamber, an air-fuel vapor. The air-fuel vapor, under pressure, is flowed over and by the deflector 43, during which the component parts thereof will be even more intimately admixed. Thereupon, it is flowed longitudinally into and through the chamber 48, compressed and passed therefrom through the peripheral ports 42 of the combustion member 38 into the combustion chamber 49. A spark is produced across the electrodes of the igniting device 50 to effect initial firing of the charge. Following initial ignition of the charge, and with continued supply of the combustible air-fuel vapor into the combustion chamber, a continuous and steady flame of high heating capacity will be directionally projected from the burner head or mouth of the combustion member 38 and/or its curvedextension 39.

'As in the instance of the first described form of my invention, the velocity or rate of flow of the air and fuel and the air-fuel vapor flow into and through the burner construction,- it not materially or abruptly changed or varied. In consequence, roaring of the propagated flame will be retained at an absolute minimum. Further, the heating efficiency of the flame will be unimpaired.

Because of the particular manner in which the atomized liquid fuel is delivered into the burner diffusing chamber, diffused and expanded, and simultaneously admixed with air, then recompressed and discharged into the combustion chamber of the burner, a highly eflicient and advantageous overall turbulence is provided to or effected in the air-fuel vapor, permitting the ratio of air to fuel to be unusually high, and hence, materially improving its fuel consumption economies without detracting from its combustibility.

I claim:

1. In a liquid fuel burner, a housing body haying forced draft admitting means therein, a diffusing chamber supported by and communicating with said housing body, fuel atomizing means in the diffusing chamber, a combustion member supported by the body in said diffusing chamber, the inner end of the combustion member bein closed and extending into the diffusing chamber, and the remaining and outer end thereof extended outwardly of and beyond the diffusing chamber, flame outletting and directing means on and communicating with said outer end of the combustion member, portions of the combustion member walls having ways therein, said portions of the combustion member having an area restricted compression chamber about and along the same communicating with the diffusing chamber, deflector means on the inner end of the combustion member and in the diffusing chamber, and ignition means in the combustion memher.

2. In a liquid fuel burner, a housing body having forced draft admitting means therein, said body having therein a diffusing chamber and an intercommunicating compression chamber, a combustion member supported by said body within the compression chamber and extending into a portion of the diffusing chamber in proximity to its point of communication with said compression chamber, said combustion member communicating with said compression chamber, the outer portion of the combustion member being extended outwardly from and beyond said compression chamber and housing body, flame outletting and directing means on and communicating with said outer portion of the combustion member, and ignition means in the combustion member. I

3. In a liquid fuel burner, a housing body having air admitting means therein, said body having therein a diffusing chamber and an intercommunicating compression chamber, the walls of the diffusing chamber inwardly converging, and the compression chamber being of less crosssectional area than the diffusing chamber, a combustion member supported by said body within the compression chamber extending into a portion of the diffusing chamber, said combustion member communicating with said compression chamber, the outer portion of the combustion member being extended outwardly from and beyond said compression chamber and housing body, flame outletting and directing means on and communicating with said outer portion of the combustion member, and ignition means in the combustion member.

4. In a liquid fuel burner, a housing body having air-admitting and circulating means therein, saidbody having therein an inwardly restricted diffusing chamber communicating with said air admitting means, and an area restricted compression chamber communicating with said diffusing chamber, a combustion member supported by said body within the compression chamber and extending into a portion of the diffusing chamber, said combustion member having ways formed in portions of its walls communicating with the compressionchamber, the outer portion of the combustion member being extended outwardly from and beyond said compression chamber and housing body, flame outletting and directing means on and communicating with said outer 9 portion of the combustion chamber, and ignition means in the combustion member.

5. In a liquid fuel burner, a housing body having air admitting and circulating means therein, saidbody also having therein an inwardly converging diffusing chamber, and a crosssectional area restricted compression chamber communicating with the diffusing chamber, a combustion member supported by said body within the compression chamber and extending into a portion of the diffusing chamber, flow deflecting means on said extended portion of the combustion member, said combustion member having a plurality of ports in portions of the same communicating with said compression chamber, the outer portion of the combustion member being extended outwardly from and beyond said compression chamber and housing body, flame outletting and directing means on and communicating with said outer portion of the combustion member, and ignition means in the combustion member.

6. In a liquid fuel burner, a cupped supporting base having air admitting means therein, a circular housing received by and horizontally supported on said base communicating with the base air admitting means consisting of upper and lower sections, corresponding inner portions of each of said sections being obliquely and inwardly disposed, corresponding outer portions thereof being inwardly flanged, a circular combustion member received between and horizontally supported by the housing sections, the inner portion of the member being closed and extended into and between said sections to a point in proximity to the obliquely and inwardly disposed inner portions of the same, and the outer portion of said combustion chamber being extended outwardly from and beyond the outer portions of said sec- "tions and open, flame outletting and directing means onand communicating with said outer portion of the combustion member, and igniting means in the combustion member.

7. In a liquid fuel burner, a cupped supporting base having air admitting means therein, a circular housing received by and horizontally supported on said base communicating with the base air admitting means consisting of upper and lower sections, corresponding inner portions of each of said sections be ing obliquely and inwardly disposed, corresponding outer portions thereof being inwardly flanged, a circular combustion member received between and horizontally supported by the housing sections, the inner portion of the member being closed and extended into and between said sections to a point in proximity to the obliquely and inwardly disposed inner portions of the same, and the outer portion of said combustion member being extended outwardly from and beyond the outer portions of said sections and open, flame outletting and directing means on and communicating with said outer portion of the combustion member, said inner portions of the housing sections forming an inwardly constricted diffusing chamber therebetween and the intermediate and outer portions thereof forming an area restricted compression chamber about those portions of the combustion member received in and being closed,

between the same communicating with the diffusing chamber, fuel feeding means supported centrally of said supporting base and circular housing communicating with the adjacent and open end of the inwardly constricted diffusing chamber, portions of the combustion member in proximity to the compression chamber having ports therein, and igniting means in the combustion member.

8. In a liquid fuel burner, a tubular housing body open at either end, an outwardly tapered sleeve on one end of the body communicating therewith, a collar engaged in the remaining end of the body, a tubular combustion member of cross-sectional size less than that of the body received therein and supportingly engaged through and by said collar in spaced relation to the body, the inner end of the combustion member being closed and positioned in proximity to the adjacent end of said tapered sleeve, fuel feeding means in the tapered sleeve near its outer end, the received portion of the combustion member having ways formed therein communicating with the space between said member and body, the outer end of the combustion member a being open and extended from and beyond the body and collar, flame outletting and directing means on and communicating with said outer end, and ignition means in the combustion member.

9. In a liquid fuel burner, a tubular housing body open at either end, a sleeve on one end of the body communicating therewith having an outwardly tapered chamber in and through the same, a tubular combustion member of crosssectional size less than that of the body received therein, means in and adjacent the remaining open end of said body supportingly receiving said tubular combustion member therethrough and retaining that portion of the same received in said body in spaced relation to its inner side walls, the inner end of the combustion member substantially conical deflector means mounted on the closed inner end of the combustion member disposed co-axially of the same, said deflector means being extended for a distance into the outwardly tapered chamber in and through said sleeve, fuel feeding means in the tapered chamber of said sleeve in proximity to the outer end thereof, that portion of the combustion member received in said body having ways formed therein communicating with the space between said member and body walls, the

' outer end of the combustion member being open and extended from and beyond said body, flame outletting and directing means on and communicating with said outer ends, and ignition means in the combustion member. STEFFEN PAUL NEMETH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

